Overdrive transmission



July 7, 1953 v G. FLINN 2,644,550

OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 5, 1948 3 Sheets-Shea l July 7, 1953- FUNN v 2,644,550

- OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION,

'- Filed Dec. :5; 1948 s Sheets-Shee 2 fnz/eni or:

July 7, 1953 (5.5. FLINN 2,644,550

OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed -Dec. 5. 1948 I 3 Sheets-Shee s Patented July 7, 1953 OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION George EPFlinn, Muncie, Ind, assignor to Borg- -Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 3, 194$, Serial No. 63,413

-8 -Claim s. 1

My invention relates to transmissions for-automotive vehicles and more particularly to such transmissions which are commonly termed overrives.

Overdrive transmissions for automotive vehicles commonly include a pawl movable into engagement with a slotted element which is connected with a reaction gear of a planetary gear set for completing an overdrive power train through the transmission. The pawl is actuated by means of an electric motor in the form of a solenoid which functions to move the pawl into engagement with the slotted element whenthe motor is electrically energized, and the motor generally acts directly on the pawl witha recip rocating movement of the armature of the motor being directly transmitted to the pawl to give it a corresponding movement.

Such electric solenoid motors are in general quite expensive due to complicated construction, and it is an object of my invention to provide an improved motor and connection between the motor and pawl which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide a solenoid which when energized draws its armature into the motor in a direction opposite to the engaging movement to'be given the pawl and to provide lever mechanismbetween the solenoid armature and the pawl which will cause the pawl to move in the-engaging direction on such movement of the-motor armature.

The invention consists of the 'novel -constructions, arrangements and devices to be hereinafter descri ed and claimed for-carrying out the abovestated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following description -of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated. with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 15 a longitudinal sectional view of an overdrive transmission embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fi 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of ig.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken-on line 5- 501 Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electrical circuit'used in connection with the overdrive shown in the preceding figures.

Like characters of reference-designate like-parts in-the several views.

Referring now to the drawings, the illustrated transmission comprises generally a drive shaft it, a driven shaft l l, a planetary gear set it, a one-way clutchunit i3, a positive type brake l4, and a positive type clutch l5. The drive shaft i8 is adapted to be connected with the engine of the vehicle in which the transmission is installed, and the driven shaft 5 i is adapted to be connected with the driving wheels of the vehicle by any suitable means.

The planetary gear set i 2 comprises a ring gear it, a sun gear H, a plurality ofplanet gears Hi in mesh with the sun and ring gears and a carrier 59 for the planet gears. Each of the planet gears l8 isrotatably disposed on apinion shaft 25 fixed in the carrier 1-3. The ring gear leis connected with the driven shaft I l, and the sun gear ll is rotatably disposed on th'e drive shaft it. The carrier 5 9 is splined to the drive shaft It.

The one-way clutch unit l3 comprises a plurality of rollers 2! disposed between an internal cylindrical surface 22 formed in the driven shaft ii and a hub 23 fixed to the drive shaft E8. The hub 23 is provided with a plurality of cams thereon (not shown), one for each of the rollers 2! so that the rollers 2| will tend to engage between the cams and cylindrical surface to provide a direct connection between the shaft [0 and driven shaft H when the drive shaft rotates in its normal direction of rotation as indicated by the arrow 24. The one-way clutch unit [3' is of an ordinary construction, and hence further details are not believed necessary to illustrate the unit. The brake Hi comprises a slotted element 25 sp'lined by means of splines 26 to the sun gear it. with respect to the transmission casing 28 is provided for moving into engagement with the slotted element 25 for braking this element and for thereby holding the sun gear I! stationary.

The clutch [5 comprises the splines 26 and teeth 29 formed on the carrier IS. The sun gear l? is adapted to be moved axially with respect to the shafts l6 and H to bring the'splines 25 into engagement with the teeth 29 for engaging the clutch. itiovement may be imparted to the sun gear I? for engaging or disengaging the clutch is by means of a collar .39 fixed on the sun gear.

A shift rail 3 i is slidablydispo'sed in the transmissioncasing Etandcarries a shift fork 32 thereon which is in engagement with the collar Bil. Th shift rail M is formed with a shoulder 33 the shift fork and a washer 35-fixed to theshift rail. A spring 36 is provided between ashoulder A pawl 27 radially movable in a portion fixed 31 on the shift rail and a portion of the casing 28 tending to hold the shift rail in the position in which it is shown.

The illustrated transmission provides a direct drive and an overdrive between the shafts I9 and II. With the clutch I5 and brake I4 disengaged, the one-way clutch I3 engages to provide a oneway direct drive between the shafts I and II. A two-Way direct drive between the shafts is provided when the clutch I5 is engaged by meshing the splines 25 with the teeth 29. The engagement of the clutch I5 has the effect of locking up the planetary unit I2 so that its parts including its gears I6, I1 and I8 and its carrier I9 rotate together as a unit. An overdrive is provided by engaging the brake I4, with the clutch 15 being disengaged. The brake I4 functions to hold the sun gear I! stationary to render this element the reaction gear of the gear set, and the carrier I9 is driven along with the shaft it since it is fixed thereto, and the gearing functions to drive the ring gear I6 and thereby the driven shaft I I fixed thereto at an overdrive or increased speed with respect to the shaft I5. 7

The shift rail 3I is provided for shifting the sun gear I1. The shift rail 3I when moved to the right as seen in Fig. 1 functions through the action of the spring 34 to move the splines 25 into engagement with the teeth 2 9, and when the shift rail 3| is moved in the opposite direction, it func tions by means of its shoulder 33 bearing on the collar 32 to disengage the splines 28 with respect to the teeth 29.

The pawl 21 is moved by means of an electromagnetic solenoid motor 38. The motor 38 comprises a pair of electric windings 39 and 45 and an armature 4I slidably disposed in the casing 42 of the motor 33. The solenoid 38 comprises also a core 43 and an annular part 44 for completing the magnetic circuit. The armature 4I is connected by means of a lever 45 with the pawl 27. The lever 45 is pivoted to a part fixed with respect to the transmission casing 28 at a point 46 and has a round end portion 4'! disposed in a slot 43 in the armature M. The lever 45 at its other end extends through a slot 49 in the pawl 21 into a cavity 59 formed in the pawl. The lever 45 has a round end portion 5I on this end which is adapted to bear on a plate 52 fixed within the pawl 21 and also on a plunger 53 slidably disposed in the cavity 50. A spring 54 is disposed between the plunger 53 and the inner end of the cavity 59 as shown. A spring 55 is disposed on the armature 4] between a washer 56 fixed on the armature and a part fixed with respect to the transmission casing 28.

An oscillatable blocker ring 51 is disposed on the slotted element 25 and is frictionally engaged therewith so as to tend to be rotated along with the slotted element. The blocker ring 51 comprises ledges 58 and 59 against which the pawl 21 may rest and is broken to provide a slot 59 through which the pawl 21 may move.

Upon energization of the electro-magnetic motor 38, by energization of its windings 39 and 48, the armature II is drawn into the motor 38 against the action of the spring 55 so as to rotate the lever 45 about its pivotal connection 49. The end 5I of the lever 45 moves so as to tend to cause a radially inward movement of the pawl through the intermediary of the plunger 53 and the spring 54. Assuming that the blocker ring 5? is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from its position as shown in Fig. 2 so that the ledge 58 is in the path of movement of the pawl 21, the- 4 pawl will move on to the ledge 58 and further movement of the pawl will be blocked, and additional movement of the lever 45 along with the armature 4| will cause movement of the plunger 53 within the cavity 50 against the action of the.

spring 54. The spring 54 is thus cocked so as to cause a further movement of the pawl 21 into engagement with the slotted element 25 when the blocker 5'! is rotated in the clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2 to bring its ledge 58 out of line of movement of the pawl 2'! and to bring its slot 68 into'register with the line of movement of the pawl. Suchmovement of the blocker ring 5! is brought about when the speed of the drive shaft I0 is decreased with respect to the speed of the driven shaft II with an accompanying overrunning of the one-way clutch I3, assuming the vehicle has previously been driven in direct drive The solenoid motor 38 comprises two switches 5i and 62. The switch 6| comprises contacts 63 and 84 adapted to be bridged by means of a discv G5 slidably disposed on a plunger 56. The plunger 95 is fixed with respect to a plunger 5'1 which is slidably disposed in the core 43. A spring 68 is disposed on the plunger 66 between the plunger El and the disc 65 as shown; The switch 52 com prises a spring contact arm 59 and contacts l9 and I I. The plungerfifi contacts the arm 59 and a spring I2 is disposed between the disc and the arm 69.

The switch 62 is closed and the switch BI is open when the motdr 39 is in its deenergized condition, such as it is, for example, shown in Fig. 5. When the windings 39 and 40 are enersized, the armature 4| is drawn within the windings so as to move the pawl 21 radially inwardly as has been described, and the armature 4i when so moved contacts the plunger 61 and through the intermediary of the spring 58 moves the disc 65 outwardly so as to bridge the contacts 63 and 54 to thereby close the switch BI. The switch 62 is opened by this movement of the armature through the intermediary of the plungers 81 and 55, as is apparent. The spring 68 functions in this connection to yieldably hold the disc 65 against the contacts 63 and 84.

The electric motor 38 is controlled by means of the electric system shown in Fig. 6. This system comprises a governor 88 of any suitable construction which is driven through the intermediary of gearing BI by the driven shaft II, The governor may comprise pivoted weights 82 acting on a plunger 83 which in turn acts on a switch 84 to close the switch when the governor and shaft II rotate above predetermined speeds. The

switch 84 is connected in series with a kickdown' switch '85 that is controlled by the accelerator 86 of the vehicle. The accelerator 88 is connected with the throttle of the vehicle engine (not shown) in the usual manner so that when the accelerator is depressed 'the vehicle throttle is opened, and the accelerator is adapted to act 011' by means of the shift rail 3| (see Fig. 1) so that the switch 81 is opened when the rail 3| is moved to the right as seen in Fig. 1 to engage the lockup clutch l5.

The electric system includes the ordinary ignition system of an internal combustion vehicle engine. This system includes the usual interrupter 88 comprising the switch 89 which is connected in series with the usual ignition coil 99.

The electric system includes a relay 9! which comprises a winding 92 on a magnetizable core 93. A pivoted armature 94 is provided that is adapted to be drawn to the core 93 when the core is energized, and this armature carries switch contacts 95 and 99, adapted to cooperate with corresponding stationary switch contacts 95 and 95 respectively.

The electric system is connected with the usual vehicle battery 91, the ignition switch 99 anda fuse 99 in series with the ignition switch.

As is apparent from an inspection of the figure, the switches 84, 85, 81 and the winding 92 are connected in series with each other and with the ignition switch 99 and battery 97. The winding 40 is connected in series with the switch 62, the contacts 95, and with the ignition switch and battery. The winding 39 is connected in parallel with the winding 49 and switch 52. The contacts 95 and switch 6! are connected with the ignition system, which includes the ignition coil 99 and interrupter switch 89, to a point between the coil 99 and switch89. The ignition system is connected through the fuse 99 to the ignition switch 98 as shown.

Below the critical governor speed, the winding 92 is deenergized, since the switch 85 is open. When the critical governor speed is reached which corresponds to a certain vehicle speed, the contacts close, and the circuit through the winding 92 is completed and the relay 9| is energized.

Such energizationpauses thearmature 94 to move to open the contacts 95 and close the contacts 95. Closure of the contacts 96 causes an energization of the windings 39 and 49 of the electro-magnetic motor 38, Such energization of the windings 39- and 99 causes the armature 4| of the motor 38 to be drawn inwardly of the motor and causes the pawl 27 to be moved toward the slotted element 25. During ordinary driving, the blocker ring 5'! is positioned with its ledge 58 in the line of movement of the pawl 21 so that the pawl is blocked. During this movement'of the armature M, with the pawl being blocked, the plunger 53 is moved in the cavity 50 and the spring 59 is compressed.

With the parts being in these conditions, the vehicle driver may release the accelerator 89 to decrease the speed'of the drive shaft ID with respect to the driven shaft H, and the slotted element 25 and sun gear ll will decrease in speed with decrease in speed of the drive shaft 0 until eventually the sun gear I! and slotted element will stop and will reverse their direction ofrotation. Upon this reversal, the blocker ring 51 is moved into its position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2 with its slot 69 in the line of movement of the pawl 27, and the pawl 27 will complete its stroke and engage the slotted element 25. The

against the .contact arm-BQ to open the contacts 10 and H for opening the switch 62. The switch 62 is in series with the winding 40, and thereby breaks the circuit through this winding, so that only the winding 39 is effective to hold the armature 91 in its energized position within the motor 38. The winding 39 is sufficient for this purpose and draws a comparatively small current compared to the two windings in parallel.

The transmission may be downshifted from overdrive ratio to direct ratio by moving the accelerator 86'to an open throttle position to open the switch 85. Opening the switch has the effect of breaking the circuit through the winding 92 and thereby deenergizing the relay 9|. The armature 94 thereupon returns to its original position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 6 in which the contacts 95 are closed and contacts 99ers open. Opening of the contacts 95 has the efiect of breaking the circuit through the winding 99 and the spring 55 is thereupon effective to tend to move the pawl 21 to its inoperative position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2, the rounded end 5| of the lever :45 acting on the plate 52 within the pawl. Since the throttle of the vehicle is open, however, the slotted element 25 bears on the pawl 27 and prevents its withdrawal from the slotted element unless some means is provided ,for breaking the torque delivered by the engine.

I provide means for breaking the torque through the transmission for this purpose, which includes the switch BI and contacts 95 conneoted with the ignition coil 99. When both the switch 5| and contacts 95 are closed, the ignition circuit is grounded, and the torque delivered by the engine is interrupted, and the spring 55 is thereupon eifective to withdraw the pawl 21 from the slotted element 25. r The transmission is then again in direct drive with the transmission of power being through the one-way clutch [3. As has been explained, the switch BI is closed when the armature 4| is in its energized position, and the contacts 95 close immediately upon deenergization of the relay 9| which occurs when the switch 85 is opened.

The rail switch 8'! is connected in series with the switches 94 and 85 as described, and its purpose is to prevent an upshift intc overdrive in the transmission when the rail 3| is in its shifted position to engage the clutch l5. When the rail 3| is shifted to the right as seen in Fig. l, the switch is opened for this purpose. As will be readily understood, an engagement of the clutch l5 which provides a two-way direct drive and a simultaneous engagement of the pawl 21 which provides a two-way drive in overdrive speed ratio would have disastrous effects on the parts of the transmission.

My improved transmission arrangement advantageously provides a simple connection between the electric solenoid motor 38 and the pawl '21. The arrangement allows a solenoid 38 of the pull-type to be utilized for pushing the pawl 2'! inwardly upon energization of the motor, and the use of the more complicated and expensive push-type solenoid for directly producing this result is obviated.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shownand described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles ,of the invention.

I claim: 7 r r 1. An overdrive control mechanism comprising in combination a sun gear locking pawl, said pawl being longitudinally movable into engagement with the sun gear, a pull-type solenoid having an armature, a lever pivoted at a central point and having a connection at one end with said armature and having a connection at the other end with said pawl whereby actuation of the solenoid causing retracting movement of the armature will cause movement of said pawl into engagement with the sun gear, said connection of said lever and said pawl comprising a spring whereby said armature may be retracted without corresponding movement of said pawl, and a spring for returning said pawl, lever and armature back to their inoperative positions.

2. In a mechanism for braking a rotatable slotted member, a reoiprocable pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for stopping rotation thereof, a reciprocable armature, a pull-type solenoid for actuating said armature, a first class lever interconnecting said armature and said pawl, said solenoid being ef-' fective upon energization thereof for retracting said armature and pivoting said lever to thereby move said pawl towards the slotted member, and means effective upon deenergization of said solenoid for moving said armature to thereby withdraw said pawl from the slotted member.

3. In a mechanism for braking a slotted mem= ber, a reciprocable pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for braking the member, a 'reciprocable armature having operative and inoperative positions, a pull-type solenoid for moving said armature to said operative position upon energization of the solenoid, a

pivotally mounted lever interconnecting said armature and pawl, said armature being effective upon movement to said operative position for pivoting said lever to thereby move said pawl into engagement with the slotted member, and a. compression spring continually urging said pawl towards its said inoperative position and efiective upon deenergization of said solenoid for so moving said armature and thereby pivoting said lever and withdrawing said pawl from the slotted member.

4. In a mechanism for braking a slotted member, a reciprocab-le pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for braking the member, a reciprocable armature having operative and inoperative positions, a solenoid for moving said armature to said operative position upon energization of the solenoid, a pivotally mounted lever interconnecting said armature and pawl, said armature being efiective upon movement to said operative position for pivoting said lever to thereby move said pawl into engagement with the slotted member, a compression spring continually urging said pawl towards its said inoperative position and effective upon deenergization of said solenoid for so moving said armature and thereby pivoting said lever and withdrawing said pawl from the slotted member, and a manually operable member for holding said pawl stationary and thereby preventing the engagement of said pawl with the slotted member upon energization of said solenoid.

5. In a mechanism for braking a slotted member, a reciprocable pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for braking ture rectilinearly into an operative position, a

pivotally mounted lever having one end connected to said armature, yieldable means connecting the other end of said lever with said pawl, said armature being effective upon energization of said solenoid to move said lever and bias said yieldable means, said yieldable means being efiective upon being biased by said armature to cause engagement of said pawl ina slot in the slotted member, and spring means for moving said armature rectilinearly into an inoperative position upon deenergization of said solenoid, whereby said pawl is withdrawn from the slot in the slotted member.

6. In a mechanism for braking a slotted member, a reciprocable pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for braking the slotted member, a rectilinearly movable armature, a solenoid for moving said armature rectilinearly into an operative position, a pivotally mounted lever having one end connected to said armature, yieldable means connecting the other end of said lever with said pawl, said armature being effective upon energization of said solenoid to move said lever and bias said yieldable means, said yieldable means being eiiective upon being biased by said armature to cause engagement of said pawl in a slot in the slotted member, a compression spring for moving said armature rectilinearly into an inoperative position upon deenergization of said solenoid to thereby withdraw said pawl from the slot in the slotted member, and a manually operable member for holding said pawl stationary and thereby preventing the engagement of said pawl with the slotted member upon energization of the solenoid.

7. In a mechanism for braking a slotted member, a reciprocable pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for braking the slotted member, a rectilinearly movable armature, a solenoid for retracting said armature rectilinearly into an operative position, a pivotally mounted lever having one end connected to said armature, yieldable means connecting the other end of said lever with said pawl, said armature being effective upon energization of said solenoid to move said lever and bias said yieldable means, synchronizing means for synchronizing said pawl with a slot in the slotted member, said yieldable means being effective upon, being biased by said armature when said pawl is synchronized with the slot in the slotted member for causing engagement of said pawl in the slot in synchronism therewith, and spring means for moving said armature rectilinearly into an inoperative position upon' deenergization of said solenoid, whereby said pawl is withdrawn from the slot in the slotted member.

8. In a mechanism for braking a slotted member, a reciprocable pawl movable longitudinally into a slot in the slotted member for braking the slotted member, a rectilinearly movable armature, a solenoid for moving said armature rectilinearly into an operative position, a pivotally mounted lever having one end connected to said armature, yieldable means connecting the other end of said lever with said pawl, said armature being eiifective upon energization of said solenoid to move said lever and bias said yieldable means, synchronizing means for synchronizing said pawl with a slot in the slotted member, said yieldable means being effective upon being biased by said armature when said pawl is synchronized with the slot in the slotted member for causing engagement of said pawl in the slot in synchronism therewith, spring means for moving said armature rectilinearly into an inoperative position upon deenergization of said solenoid for thereby withdrawing said pawl from the slot in the slotted member, and a manually operable member for holding said pawl stationary and thereby preventing the engagement of said pawl with the slotted member upon energization of the solenoid.

GEORGE E. FLINN.

Name Date Mahoney Jan. 8, 1901 Number Number 10 Name Date Irwin Nov. 11, 1913 Beede May 14, 1940 Claytor Aug. 26, 1941 Griswold et al. May 18, 1943 Claytor Sept. 28, 1943 Flinn Nov. 16, 1943 Vincent Jan.'25, 1944 Munschauer July 30, 1946 Carnagua July 20, 1948 

